MAMAView
By Middagh Goodwin
On October 15th, the Modesto Area Music Awards will celebrate twenty-five years of music and live entertainment in the 209. Over the years, thousands of acts, venues, and events have been nominated, and you, the fans, have chosen the winners. On top of a new batch of MAMAnees this year, we will look back on the last twenty-five years, from the beginning at Club Maxx to Fat Cat and the Gallo to the State Theatre. Celebrating the big and small events and series, and everything from rock to Jazz, Americana to unplugged.
Who would have imagined in 2000 that twenty-five years later, the MAMA would still be going strong and become an annual event so many people look forward to and are so passionate about? Both Chris Murphy and Ricci have championed music in Modesto and the surrounding areas, from X-Fest to the ModestoView, creating and sponsoring events incorporating all styles of music and hosting the annual awards show.
This year, we are very excited to have some special performances planned. A look back over the last twenty-five years, celebrating the past, present, and future.
Check out all the nominees, visit the venues, cafes, and bars, see the artists perform, and then vote. You will have a month to cast your votes, and I am certain more than one friend or family member will ask you to vote for them. A couple of great opportunities to catch some nominees will be at Rock Fest at Twin Rivers or Porchfest in Ripon on August 3rd, Black Bomb Festival at the Game Room in Sonora on the 10th, Modstock at Graceada Park on August 11th, or a show at one of the many craft breweries that host live entertainment. Remember that you can only vote once, so look at all the categories and click your choices. After you are done submitting your votes, make sure you verify your email. Voting will be live at www.modestoareamusic.com on Sunday, September 15th at Noon; you are the academy, and your votes choose the winners. 
The Modesto Area Music Awards is free but, unfortunately, only for the MAMAnees and their guests. It is streamed live on the ModestoView website, so you can tune in and watch it to see all the excitement. Everything will take place at the State Theatre on October 15th, the one night of the year when Punks and Metalheads, Bluesmen, and singer-songwriters all get together for a night to celebrate each other.
Performers and venues, send your gigs to events@modestoview.com to stay on the radar and be included in the calendar.
